The overall objective of this study is to determine dietary iron absorption from lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) in apparently healthy and undernourished children. This case-control study will recruit apparently healthy children and children with uncomplicated undernutrition (age 1-3 years, n=15/group) from Msambweni and the surrounding rural communities in Kwale County, Kenya. At the baseline visit (day 0), participants will be provided with an LNS labeled with a stable iron isotope (57-Fe). Participants will return to the hospital 14 days later (day 14) for a blood draw. Blood collected on day 14 will be used to measure iron isotope incorporation into red blood cells. Blood collected at screening will be used to measure indicators of anemia, iron status, hepcidin, and inflammation.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
30
LNS labeled with a stable iron isotope
Msambweni County Referral Hospital
Msambweni, Kenya
Dietary iron absorption
Time frame: Isotope incorporation into RBCs on day 14
Hemoglobin
Hemoglobin concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
Serum ferritin
Serum ferritin concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
Soluble transferrin receptor
Soluble transferrin receptor concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
Transferrin saturation
Transferrin saturation percentage
Time frame: Measured at screening
Hepcidin
Hepcidin concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
C-reactive protein
C-reactive protein concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein
Alpha-1-acid glycoprotein concentration
Time frame: Measured at screening
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